Vui's Three Reasons

1. Cau Nam is the only person that Mom reveres and listens to. A long time ago, after the passing of Ong Ngoai in Vietnam, the mystique of Cau Nam was greatly amplified. It got larger than life, when we got to the US. Our Mom, who does not and would not listen to anyone, would be attentive and compliant to Cau Nam unconditionally. Even when Mom totally disagreed with Cau Nam, she always treated Cau Nam with highest regards and respect. It is truly amazing. I contribute this phenomenon to the "only-son syndrome" of the Vietnamese family culture. Although I hardly show, I love our Mom dearly and wish to have some of Cau Nam's power to have Mom sees my points of view sometime.

2. Cau Nam is crazy fun in a quirky way. While Mom has always been so serious and Di Bay so sincere, Cau Nam is totally different. He makes fun of people, ideologies, and even theologies. He mocks them all, but never condemned them. Perhaps his mind works differently, and he questions everything. Even when he jokes around, there is always a subliminal trend of thought that keeps you guarded. I love and identify with this aspect of his personality. He is a true maverick.

3. Cau Nam loves life and he loves our Dad. While I don't think Mom would share Dad with anyone, I am certain that she knows that Dad has a best friend in Cau Nam. Many times Dad had to call Cau Nam and asked Cau Nam to call Mom to let him out to play. And Cau Nam would always be gracious to demand a permission out of Mom. The autocratic ways of Vietnamese family needs the irreverence and playfulness of Cau Nam. While I am glad that Dad has a best friend in Cau Nam, I pray for Cau Nam for the sake of Dad.

Vui